13 Best Creatine Supplements of 2025, Expert-Tested and Reviewed

Why We Like It

Transparent labs is by far one of our best creatine brands. As far as formulation goes, this product earned a high score, according to our expert. “Transparent Labs Creatine gets a 4.5 out of 5 for its formula,” Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, says. “The ingredients are clinically dosed and baked by science.” 

Transparent Labs Creatine HMB packs 5,000 milligrams of creatine monohydrate per serving, which is ideal, as research suggests taking doses of three to five grams per day for at least 28 days may help increase creatine levels in your muscles. (11) For that reason, we think this product is an excellent option for those who want a creatine for bulking.

This product includes 1.5 grams of HMB (hydroxymethyl butyrate), which has been associated with positive post-workout muscle recovery, allowing your tired, damaged muscles to bounce back quicker for better performance. (24) “The addition of vitamin D is helpful, as a large percentage of the population has low or deficient vitamin D levels,” says Jillian Kubala, RD. “This can impact energy, muscle function, recovery, and more.” In this product, you get 60 percent of your daily value.

As our best creatine powder, this supplement is available in 13 different flavors with no artificial sweeteners, so we’d particularly recommend this product for those who prefer flavored supplements. “I tried Black Cherry and didn’t love it as much as I have loved some other creatine powders. It tasted a little watered down, even with the recommended amount of water,” notes our tester, a certified nutrition coach. That being said, she gave it a 4 out of 5 for taste, as some people may prefer the lighter flavor. 

We do wish this creatine dissolved a little better. “When I shook up this creatine, I noticed the floaties didn’t dissolve completely,” according to our tester who gave the solubility a 3.5 out of 5. So, if you don’t have an electric stirrer or blender, you may want a more soluble product.

Although we love this product, we don’t love the price tag. One 30-serving bottle costs $49.99, which is about $1.66 per serving. Since this is pricier than most other products, we had to give this category a 1 out of 5. For a more affordable creatine pick, try the Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate.

Read our full Transparent Labs Creatine HMB Review.

Why We Like It

The best creatine gummies can be a delicious way to take your supplements. Swoly Creatine Mono Gummies fall right in line here — “I thought these creatine gummies were freakin’ delicious,” notes Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, giving the flavor a 5 out of 5.

It’s easy to take gummies (like these from Swoly) with you on the road, too, making them one of the simplest options on this list for those who travel frequently and want to maintain a supplement routine. “Swoly Creatine Gummies get a 4 out of 5 for their formulation,” adds Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “I’m a fan of the amount of creatine monohydrate provided in each serving. Deductions came from the use of artificial flavors and small amounts of added sugar.”

Aside from the 2.5 grams of added sugar, there are 4 grams of creatine monohydrate in each serving of Swoly gummies. This is right in range for your daily recommended 3 to 5 grams, but most of the best creatine brands dose their creatine monohydrate products closer to five grams, making this one a bit on the low side. (27) 

We gave these gummies a 5 out of 5 for swallowability, as well. “They’re so easy to eat and delicious,” Meier said. “I genuinely look forward to eating these.” However, some may be more appreciative of a smaller serving size — Swoly recommends consuming five gummies per dose.

Meier’s enthusiasm can’t hide the fact that this is an expensive supplement, though. Swoly’s 30-serving bottle costs $34.99, putting these gummies at $1.17 per serving — almost $0.75 per serving higher than other creatines, earning a 1 out of 5 for cost. We wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who’s on a strict budget. Instead, consider the Crazy Muscle Creatine Pills, which are lower in cost but just as easy to travel with.

One thing to note: Creatine gummies are relatively new, according to Bourgeois. “Most research has looked at the effects of creatine powders,” she says. “There hasn’t been much research, if any, on creatine gummies and digestion’s impact on their effects.” So, if you’re doubtful, opt for a powder.

Read our full Swoly Creatine Gummies Review. 

Why We Like It

For athletes competing in a league or federation, it’s crucial to find products that are certified for sport. That’s why we love Sports Research Creatine Monohydrate for athletes specifically — this product is Informed Sport Certified, and packs 5,000 milligrams of creatine per serving.

“As far as its formulation goes, Sports Research Creatine Monohydrate hits the nail on the head,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who gave the formula a 5-out-of-5 rating. “It provides the upper end of what research considers an effective dose of creatine and doesn’t contain any unnecessary fillers.” On the other hand, if you’re looking for your creatine to pack a major punch, you might be disappointed in the lack of supplemental ingredients.

Unfortunately, this product doesn’t offer any flavor options, so if that’s a must in your potions and powders, the Sports Research Creatine is not for you. However, our testers enjoyed how unflavored it actually is, giving the taste a 5 out of 5 and dubbing it one of the best tasting creatines we trialed. “I like mixing my creatine with BCAAs or other supplements and this one truly adds no flavor at all,” they said. If you prefer your BCAAs and creatine in one simple supplement, check out Six Star Pro Nutrition Creatine X3.

“Even when mixed with water, it just tastes like water,” says our tester, a certified personal trainer. After mixing one scoop in a cup with a spoon, we noticed a little sediment at the bottom, which earned the solubility a 4.5 out of 5. However, when we mixed the product with electrolytes supplements, we didn’t notice any settling. So, our team definitely recommends combining the product with another supplement.

The price point for this creatine is approachable, too, at only $17.95 for 10.58 ounces. This is a definite plus considering the included third-party certifications that typically elevate costs. For those on a tighter budget, though, we have been able to locate some Sports Research Discount Codes for potential discounts.

Why We Like It

While creatine monohydrate is one of the most widely-studied supplements today, there are other types of creatine that can prove beneficial to certain athletes. One such form is creatine hydrochloride (creatine HCl) that studies link to higher absorption rates and lowered chances of GI distress and bloating. (37) Kaged Creatine HCl offers these perks in a tasty, soluble powder, earning its place within our rankings.

Creatine HCl’s formulation is fairly clean with creatine hydrochloride serving as the lone active ingredient. “I rate the makeup at 4 out of 5, though, since the 750 milligrams is somewhat underserved when compared to other supplements offering up to 5 grams,” notes Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD. Additionally, we note that the flavored powder options do contain sucralose, which may lead to stomach discomfort in some athletes.

As far as taste is concerned, our tester, a certified personal trainer, scores Kaged Creatine HCl at a perfect 5 out of 5. “I trialed the Lemon Lime offering and found the powder to be a perfect blend of sweet and tart.” Solubility also scores well at 5 out of 5, with our tester noting no residue or separation when mixing up their daily servings.

You can purchase Kaged Creatine HCl for roughly $0.33 per serving, meaning it sits amongst the more wallet-friendly creatine supplements we’ve had in testing. While we rate the value at 5 out of 5, our tester does offer a caveat. “Each serving is just 750 milligrams of creatine hydrochloride, so you’d need to take up to four or five servings daily to achieve research-backed daily values,” they note. “By that math, you’d need to purchase a new container every few weeks — a less-than-efficient buying strategy.” If you’d prefer to get your creatine dosages in one fell swoop without the need for multiple monthly orders, we recommend powders such as Bulk Supplements Creatine or Jacked Factory Creatine Monohydrate.

Lastly, we feel Kaged Creatine HCl can be ideal for competitive athletes thanks to the Informed Sport certification. This third-party testing helps ensure athletes that the supplement facts are accurate and there are no banned substances within the makeup. If you want a highly-absorbable, athlete-friendly creatine solution, Kaged can deliver.

Read our full Kaged Creatine HCl Review.

Why We Like It

Looking to bolster your strength training progress with a performance-boosting supplement? Creatine has been linked to better muscle growth, increased power, and better strength metrics in both short-term and long-term uses. (1)(2) If your goal is to build muscle, we recommend choosing MRM Nutrition Creatine thanks to its research-backed dosage and non-GMO, gluten-free makeup.

Each serving of this MRM Nutrition offering contains 5 grams of creatine monohydrate — one of the most studied creatine forms. Plus, there are no artificial ingredients or added compounds, meaning you’re solely consuming the beneficial amino acid without interference from other nutrients. As such, we score the formulation at 5 out of 5. Be mindful, though, that MRM Nutrition is not third-party tested, making it less ideal for competitive athletes needing to abide by strict governing regulations. For these needs, we recommend looking at products such as Transparent Labs Creatine HMB or Kaged Creatine HCl.

This creatine powder is unflavored, but our tester, a certified personal trainer, states that the powder does have a bit of a presence when taken on its own. “I still score the taste at 4.5 out of 5, though, since the flavor note isn’t off-putting and can be easily masked when added to other beverages or supplements,” they add.

In terms of solubility, our tester states, “There was no residue left at the bottom of my cup, and the powder seems to dissolve evenly with no signs of separation.” This is a definite plus for those stacking supplements, as the creatine can mix well without leaving behind any particles that would otherwise lower your consumed dosage. Solubility, as such, earns a 5-out-of-5 score, as well.

While flavored options could be beneficial for those seeking an all-in-one tasty training treat, we feel this MRM Nutrition powder can be worthwhile for those wanting to craft different training beverage recipes aligned to their taste buds. Plus, at roughly $0.31 per serving and 100 servings per container, you have some room to experiment with different concoctions and combinations.

Why We Like It

Unlike some of the best greens powders, for instance, you don’t need to spend a ton of money on the best creatine brands and products to get a quality supplement. With costs starting at $0.21 per serving, Nutricost’s Creatine Monohydrate is the perfect example of a high-quality creatine at a budget-friendly price. For cost per serving, this pick definitely earned a 5 out of 5, and we’d recommend it for anyone who wants an affordable creatine supplement. 

The formula for this one is pretty simple, too. “Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate scores a 4 out of 5 for its formulation, as the flavored options contain sucralose and other additives,” says Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “However, I’d score the unflavored option with a perfect 5.”

“This unflavored creatine is actually completely tasteless,” says our tester, a certified personal trainer, giving the flavor a 4.5 out of 5. “I’ve paired this supplement with my pre-workout and other powders, yet it never affects the taste.”

Unfortunately, though, this product isn’t as soluble as we would have liked. “This creatine settled a lot,” notes our tester in reference to their 3-out-of-5 solubility rating. “This is pretty common for creatine but it does gather at the bottom of my cup.”

BarBend editorial member and certified personal trainer Rosie Borchert has been using this creatine for about 6 months, stating, “I never experienced any bloating from this product, even when I was in the loading phase.” As such, Nutricost earns a perfect 5 out of 5 for side effects. Be mindful, though, that the included sucralose (in the flavored options) can lead to GI distress and stomach issues in some athletes, so be sure to proceed with some sense of caution.

The brand does claim the product is third-party tested, though information is limited online when it comes to identifying the actual accrediting lab. Since it’s not sport certified, we wouldn’t recommend Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate for competing athletes. Instead, we’d suggest Sports Research Creatine.

Read our full Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate Review.

Why We Like It

You don’t necessarily need to take creatine before training. Actually, it can work as one of the best post-workout supplements, too, especially when it comes to a top creatine like Legion Recharge. We like this pick for its impressive 5,000mg of micronized creatine. 

We also appreciate Recharge’s heightened focus on post-workout recovery, thanks to the corosolic acid, which may support healthy inflammation levels, though more research on the benefit is needed. (36) Plus, the 2.1-gram serving of carnitine has been linked to increased muscle mass, accompanied by weight loss and reduced physical and mental fatigue. (28) All in all, we think Legion Recharge is a great pick for athletes who prioritize their time out of the gym just as much as their time in the gym. 

“I like that Legion included corosolic acid — not many creatine supplements do,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “Recharge’s formulation scores a 4.25 out of 5 in my book.” 

Athletes get multiple flavor options with this profile, as well. Our tester, a certified nutrition coach, tried the Strawberry Lemonade, noting that the taste was, “Really good, like this mixture of sweet and tart…” Taste scores a 5 out of 5, earning it a spot as one of the best tasting creatines we’ve analyzed.

Also, this creatine powder was a breeze to blend up during trials. “I didn’t have any issue with solubility and didn’t notice any grittiness when taking sips,” says our tester. Our team gave this product a 5 out of 5 for solubility. 

One 30-serving container of Recharge is $44.99, which is about $1.50 per serving. As such, we had to give the cost a 3 out of 5 as you can easily find creatine supplements at $0.50 per serving (or less). That being said, this formula does include some beneficial post-workout ingredients, albeit with a more robust makeup than other creatine powders we’ve tried.

One note: Watch out for the sweetener. “Legion Recharge is sweetened with stevia, which isn’t tolerated by everyone,” says Bourgeois. “Even the unflavored option includes the natural sweetener.” So, if you’re sensitive to added sweeteners, you may prefer a pick from one of the other best creatine brands, like Jacked Factory Creatine Monohydrate.

Read our full Legion Recharge Review.

Why We Like It

Jacked Factory Growth Surge has 3,000 milligrams of creatine monohydrate and may promote muscle recovery and strength gain. (11)(7) Plus, there are multiple flavors to choose from, which can be ideal when trying to guzzle down creatine as a standalone supplement.

Our tester, a certified nutrition coach, tried the Cherry Limeade offering and had some thoughts. “I really liked the flavor, but there was a little bit of an aftertaste.” It wasn’t enough to keep her from buying the product again, though — she still gave the taste a 5 out of 5 rating, making it one of the best tasting creatines in our lab.

We like the addition of betaine, too, as it may help protect protein cells from environmental stress. (6) “Together, all of these ingredients work to improve blood flow and nitric oxide production to maximize your anaerobic performance,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who gave the formulation a 4 out of 5.

When it comes to mixing a drink for your training, though, we highly recommend giving Growth Surge a fair shake with your best shaker bottle (pun intended). “It mixed poorly and left a bunch of floating clumps of powder,” says our tester who gives solubility a 3 out of 5. For those who hate clumping or have issues gripping items, this may not be the best pick.

The cost per serving on this creatine for bulking isn’t ideal for those on a budget, unfortunately. One 30-serving container costs $39.99, which is about $1.33 per serving. We had to give Jacked Factory a 1 out of 5 in this category, as you can definitely find cheaper options (like the Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate). However, if you want a top creatine with an enjoyable flavor profile, this should be worth considering.

Why We Like It

Lots of supplement companies offer subscriptions, but not all of them provide access to a registered dietitian. Gainful does, and that’s what makes it our pick for the best subscription-based creatine. After getting set up with a subscription, you can check with an R.D. to answer questions about creatine loading phases or additional benefits the supplement may offer. We think Gainful is perfect for those who want personalized advice on their supplement routine, but may not have the time or bandwidth to find an R.D. on their own.

As for the product itself, it’s a straightforward creatine monohydrate with a clinically-backed dose of 5,000 milligrams per serving. “Most research suggests that 3 to 5 grams of creatine monohydrate is the ideal dose to maximize its benefits, and you get 5 grams with Gainful Creatine Monohydrate,” says Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, BarBend expert contributor and registered dietitian. It’s also free of preservatives and any artificial flavors, dyes, or sweeteners, so we’d recommend it for anyone with a sensitive stomach as well. In fact, our tester didn’t experience any bloating or GI discomfort after use. 

It’s only available in an Unflavored option, and our tester was pleased to report they didn’t taste it at all when mixing with milk. In terms of solubility, they noticed a bit of powder stuck to the side of their cup after mixing it with a handheld mixer, but overall experienced no issues. “After mixing it in a shaker cup, I let it sit for roughly an hour and didn’t notice any separation,” they add. Flavor received a 5 out of 5, while solubility scored a 4.5 out of 5. 

The cost per serving — around $0.86 — remains the same no matter which option you buy. While it’s not the most affordable creatine we’ve tested, the access to an R.D. helped bump up our value score to a 4 out of 5. 

Finally, while we admire Gainful’s commitment to clean ingredients, we wish this product had some mark of third-party testing that can provide the peace of mind that the label delivers what it promises and includes no banned substances. “Nothing stands out as a red flag with this creatine from Gainful, but it would be an added bonus if they sent the product for third-party testing to ensure safety and purity,” says Bourgeois. Because it’s not third-party certified, we wouldn’t recommend it for competitive athletes. If that’s you, try Sports Research Creatine instead.

Why We Like It

Though having a variety of flavor options can be fun, supplement stackers usually prefer an unflavored creatine powder that blends easily with their best pre-workout supplement or other go-to powder. Thorne Creatine Monohydrate is a no-frills creatine supplement — it’s 5 grams of micronized creatine monohydrate per serving, and comes in a neutral unflavored powder. Our tester, a certified personal trainer, rated the taste (or lack thereof) a 5 out of 5 — we consider this a big win for Thorne, since a lot of “unflavored” powders aren’t truly unflavored. Therefore, we’d suggest this top creatine option for those who like to mix multiple supplement powders into one drink.

This creatine is also a solid option for athletes, as it contains no ingredients outside of the creatine itself — you won’t find any additional carbs, fats, or calories in this blend. “You get the high end of what research suggests to be ideal for creatine doses,” according to our expert, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, who rated the formulation at 5 out of 5. “And there are no fluff ingredients that would drive up cost or skew its effects.” Of course, if you’re hoping to take your creatine pre-workout or want added vitamins or minerals in your supplement, this may not be the product for you.

Unfortunately, the solubility wasn’t as ideal as we’d hoped, earning a 3-out-of-5 rating. “It settles a bit at the bottom of my glass,” our tester said. “I had to stir it several times while sipping. In a smoothie, though, I imagine it would be fine.” If exceptional solubility is a must for you, try Legion Recharge, instead.

The 5-gram dose is right on par with other creatine monohydrates, and at roughly $0.46 per serving, our team gave the price per serving a score of 4 out of 5. It’s certainly not the priciest option on the market, but you can find even cheaper products.

Read our full Thorne Creatine Review.

Why We Like It

In some cases, adding yet another powder to your supplement stack may not be the most convenient. Luckily, you can get creatine in pill form, too, and for those who prefer a capsule over powder, we suggest Crazy Muscle Creatine Pills.

“While they require you to swallow three pills to get the full dose, you do get 5,001 milligrams of creatine monohydrate per serving,” Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, says, giving the formula a 4 out of 5. “There’s just some curiosity as to why they include creatine alpha-ketoglutarate and creatine pyruvate when they’re so understudied.”

As Bourgeois explains, there are three types of creatine in these pills. However, creatine monohydrate is really the form with the most supporting research. Nevertheless, the other two creatines are safe for most adults (always consult your doctor prior to starting a regimen), yet they may just not be as effective.

We do like that this product is available through Amazon Prime, so there’s not much wait time — making it an ideal option for those who need fast shipping. Our team did give the swallow-ability a 3.5 out of 5, though. “The pills are easy enough to swallow,” says our tester, a certified nutrition coach, “However, sometimes I just don’t want to wash back a handful of pills.” The pills aren’t difficult to consume but you do have to take three per serving, which can be inconvenient, especially if you’re taking other capsulated supplements like the best multivitamins. You can also always consider creatine gummies, like Swoly.

“This product is reasonably priced,” adds our tester. One 60-serving container costs $49.99, which is only about $0.83 per serving. For this, cost scores a 5 out of 5.

Why We Like It

If you’re a beginner looking for a product that can potentially help boost your athletic performance, this top creatine pick is simple and — we think — a great starting point. “Bulk supplements did an excellent job with this creatine powder,” says Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD, giving the formulation a 4.5 out of 5. “You get five grams of micronized creatine and no added ingredients, so it’s incredibly simple.” 

Bulk Supplements Creatine is 100% pure creatine monohydrate and includes no other ingredients. This can be a great option for beginners, as it allows you to see how that ingredient alone may affect your performance and recovery. However, you do not get other benefits like post-workout support that may be present in more robust formulations.

This one doesn’t have any flavor options, unfortunately. “It’s truly unflavored, and doesn’t have any bitter aftertaste,” says our tester, a certified nutrition coach. This may work well for a beginner trying new supplements, as it can stack well with the best BCAA supplements or protein powders. Our team gave the flavor a 4 out of 5. “However, I noticed this bag doesn’t come with a scooper,” our tester adds, which is a bit of a downside for those looking for a reliable measuring tool. 

We also like that Bulk Supplements offers capsules in addition to powdered creatine. Though you shouldn’t experience any issues with the solubility here, capsules are a nice alternative for those who need a more convenient option. You can choose from four capsule options, including either vegetarian or gelatin capsules at either 100 or 300 capsules per bottle. Other non-powder creatine options we like include the Crazy Muscle Creatine Pills or the Swoly Creatine Gummies.

The powder comes in six buying options from three and a half ounces all the way up to 55 pounds. The price per serving will vary, depending on the size you get, but with max prices hovering near $0.25, it’s an easy selection for those on a budget. Needless to say, this one earned a 5 out of 5 for cost.

Read our full Bulk Supplements Creatine Review.

Why We Like It

Many companies try their hand at making a good creatine monohydrate supplement, but we think this one from Jacked Factory is top-notch for athletes who want a simple, no-frills creatine. Each serving of Jacked Factory’s simple creatine houses 5,000 milligrams of creatine monohydrate with no additional ingredients. “Jacked Factory Creatine Monohydrate easily gets a 4.5 out of 5 for formulation,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “You get exactly what you pay for — creatine without any alarming or unnecessary fillers.” 

Plus, it’s available in an Unflavored profile, so you can mix it with any beverage or stack it with other supplements. “It tastes like water to me,” states Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, so you don’t necessarily need to mix with other ingredients, either. As such, she gave it a 5 out of 5 in the taste department. Flavored options are available (Blue Raspberry or Peach Mango), but if you’d prefer a larger menu of tastes, we’d recommend Transparent Labs Creatine HMB. 

While the flavorless profile is appealing, Meier did note that this Jacked Factory powder didn’t dissolve entirely — “There was a little sediment that gathered at the bottom over time,” she adds, giving the product a 4 out of 5 for solubility. Although specific creatine timing doesn’t necessarily matter, research suggests that taking creatine shortly before and/or after a workout can be beneficial. (29) So, keep an electric stirrer handy. 

We give the price per serving a solid 5 out of 5. One 85-serving container costs $34.99, which is only about $0.41 per serve, making it among our most cost-friendly choices. Plus, this one is available on Amazon Prime, so you can get your supplements in a matter of days.